Jerry Grote, the longtime New York Mets catcher and a part of their 1969 World Collection championship crew, died Sunday due to respiratory failure after a coronary heart process in Austin, Texas, his household introduced. He was 81.
Grote, recognized particularly for his protection, performed 16 seasons, 12 for the Mets, earlier than serving because the backup catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977-78. In 1981, his last 12 months within the majors, he performed in 22 video games for the Kansas Metropolis Royals and two for the Dodgers.
After seemingly popping out of nowhere to win the World Collection over the Baltimore Orioles in 5 video games in 1968, Grote and the Mets additionally reached the Collection in 1973, falling in seven video games to the Oakland Athletics. The Dodgers gained the Nationwide League pennant in 1977-78 however fell to the New York Yankees in six video games every time.
In a press release launched by the Mets, Ed Kranepool, who spent his total 18-year profession with the crew, known as Grote “the perfect defensive catcher within the NL when he performed. Johnny Bench as soon as instructed me, ‘If he was on the Reds, I might be enjoying third base.'”
Jon Matlack, who pitched for the Mets for seven seasons, stated, “He was the perfect catcher I ever threw to. I do not assume I ever shook him off as soon as.”
Grote, a two-time All-Star, had a profession .252 batting common with 39 residence runs and 404 RBIs.